Sports

PALLEKELE, Sunday : “It’s very special” was how captain Joe Root described England’s series clinching57-run win over Sri Lanka in the second Test at the Pallekele International Stadium yesterday that gave them a unbeatable 2-0 lead in the three-match Test series with one to play.

Home advantage is something every home team wants and it is fair enough. But to what extent? Should it compromise with the quality of the game? Should it be just enough to take an opposition victory out of the equation? Well, the questions are plenty, the doubts are never-ending and it is high time these questions are answered.

PALLEKELE, Wednesday: Sam Curran whose decisive batting helped England to win the five-match Test series against India 4-1 once again displayed his value to the side with an important half century that lifted England from an ordinary 225-9 to a challenging first innings total of 285 on a turning Pallekele International Stadium pitch.

PALLEKELE, Tuesday – Contrary to the notion that Pallekele International Stadium is best suited to suit seam bowlers because of the cool climatic conditions, the pitches prepared for the Test matches played here so far tells you quite a different story.

Sri Lanka have one point from the washed-out fixture against England, while South Africa are starting their campaign in the ICC Women’s World T20 2018 – if rain permits. It’s all to play for in Gros Islet, if the rain relents.

Sri Lanka who lost the first cricket Test to England at Galle by 211 runs suffered a double blow ahead of the second Test commencing at Pallekele International Stadium on Wednesday when captain Dinesh Chandimal was ruled out for the rest of the series and to compound matters spinner Akila Dananjaya has been reported with a suspected bowling action.

GALLE, Thursday: England propelled by opener Keaton Jennings’ second Test hundred put themselves firmly in the driving seat to win the first cricket Test after setting Sri Lanka the overwhelming task of chasing down 462 runs for victory over the next two days at the Galle International Stadium yesterday.

GALLE, Wednesday: Sri Lankan batsmen put up a wretched batting performance against spin to hand to England a huge advantage in the first cricket Test played at the Galle International Stadium yesterday.

GALLE, Tuesday: England had to again depend on their lower order batsmen to rescue them from total disaster after they lost half the side for 103 before recovering to make a decent 321 for eight wickets by the close on the opening day of the first cricket Test against Sri Lanka at the Galle International Cricket Stadium yesterday.

GALLE, Monday – Intermittent showers that has hampered practices of both Sri Lanka and England ahead of today’s first Test at the Galle International Stadium threatens to spoil the farewell of legendary Sri Lankan left-arm spinner Rangana Herath who will retire at the end of the Test.